Frequently Asked Questions About Covid-19

Assist. Prof. Dr. Melike Yavuz of the Bahçeşehir University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, has answered frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for you:

Questions

1. What does pandemic (global outbreak) mean?

A pandemic means a global outbreak and is a determination declared by the World Health Organization. Pandemic is a term used only for epidemic diseases caused by microorganisms. Three conditions are required for a pandemic to be declared.
I. The emergence of a disease to which the population has not previously been exposed
II. The disease-causing agent infecting humans and causing a dangerous illness
III. The disease agent spreading easily and continuously among humans

2. What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the virus called SARS-CoV-2. The disease was first identified at the end of December in Wuhan, China, in a group of patients who developed respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The virus causing COVID-19 coronavirus disease is a new virus, different from other coronaviruses.

3. How long does the virus survive in the external environment?

Viruses in the coronavirus group are generally known not to be very resistant to the external environment. However, when spread outward through droplets, their survival time varies depending on the type and properties of the material they adhere to and the humidity and temperature of the environment. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the time this virus remains on a material can vary from a few hours to a few days depending on the type of material. Some recent studies show that the virus remains viable for 5 days on plastic surfaces, 4 days on glass, 48 hours on steel surfaces, 2-8 hours on aluminum surfaces, 4-5 days on paper, 4 days on wooden surfaces and 8 hours on plastic gloves. For this reason, the frequency of disinfection should be determined according to the nature of the surface to be disinfected. In addition, considering that it may remain in external environments for anywhere from 2 hours to five days, it becomes clear how much importance we must give to hand hygiene.

4. How is coronavirus infection transmitted?

It is transmitted by inhaling droplets released into the environment when sick individuals cough or sneeze. The virus can also be contracted by touching surfaces contaminated with patients' respiratory particles and then touching the face, eyes, nose or mouth without washing hands. Touching the eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands is risky. For this reason, behaviors that may involve close contact, such as shaking hands or hugging, should be avoided.

5. People with which conditions are in the risk group for this disease?

The groups known to experience the disease more severely are those over 60, people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease, people with cancer or receiving chemotherapy for it, and those taking immunosuppressive drugs for rheumatological diseases. In addition, healthcare workers are in the risk group for contracting the disease even if they have no illness.

6. What should be done to protect against infection in open areas (such as on the street) or public spaces?

Public spaces (banks, public transport, government offices, shopping malls) carry a risk of infection transmission because they are places where many people can come into contact.
In these areas, if hands are not visibly dirty, hand hygiene should be performed frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or if hands are dirty, frequently with soap and water. Washing hands by rubbing them with water and ordinary soap for 20 seconds will provide sufficient hygiene. After washing, hands should be dried with a paper towel if possible.
In addition,
The mouth, nose and eyes should not be touched with dirty hands.
When coughing or sneezing, the mouth and nose should be covered with a disposable tissue, or with the inside of the elbow if no tissue is available. The used tissue should be thrown in the bin immediately.
Crowded places should be avoided as much as possible. If it is necessary to enter crowded places, care should be taken to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from others.

a. Does wearing a mask protect against coronavirus infection?

People who are not sick do not need to wear masks in open areas. People at risk of severe illness may use a mask if they must enter a crowded environment, for the duration of their time there. Masks are disposable, and a mask that has been used once must be thrown away. Hand hygiene must be performed after discarding the mask.
People with respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath should wear a mask and go to the nearest healthcare facility.

b. What should I pay attention to when entering my home after being outside? What should be done to prevent transmission from clothing?

To reduce the infection load we may bring in on our clothes from outside, shoes must be taken off and left outside the home. On entering the home, clothes should be taken off and home clothes put on without contact with other household members. Then the hands and face should be washed and disinfected. To clean clothes, they need to be washed with ordinary detergent at above 60 degrees.

c. How can I clean frequently used surfaces at home such as door handles, fixtures and sinks? What precautions can I take at home?

Good disinfection begins with properly performed surface cleaning. Wiping surfaces with a cloth with soap or detergent is sufficient for surface cleaning. However, if the surface to be disinfected is very dirty, touched by many people and considered risky in terms of transmission, disinfection can be carried out after wiping with a solution containing 60-70% alcohol or antiseptic wipes. Apart from this, there is no need for other additional disinfectants except in special cases.
Areas requiring special attention, such as floors, toilets and sinks, can be wiped with diluted bleach as always. For general cleaning, 1 part bleach to 100 parts water is sufficient; in other words, floors can be wiped and toilets and sinks cleaned with a solution obtained by adding 100 cc of bleach to 10 liters of water. More concentrated solutions may cause health problems for the person applying them, especially in the respiratory system.

d. What should people suspected of having the disease pay attention to so as not to infect others at home?

Sick people should not receive visitors. If possible, sick individuals should stay in a separate room. The rooms of people suspected of having the disease should not be entered; if entry is necessary, a mask should be worn. Rooms should be ventilated frequently. Sick individuals should wear masks in shared areas of the home. If possible, they should use a separate toilet and bathroom. If there is no separate toilet and bathroom, masks must be worn in these areas, and these areas should be cleaned after each use. Hands should be washed frequently with water and ordinary soap or rubbed with hand antiseptics. Items such as plates, glasses and towels should not be shared.

7. When should hands be washed?

•After coughing and sneezing,
•After cleaning the nose,
•Before and after preparing food,
•Before eating,
•After touching garbage and spoiled food,
•When entering and leaving the toilet,
•When hands are visibly dirty,
•After contact with live or dead animals,
•After using public transport,
•When coming home from outside, hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds.

8. Is there a recommended disinfectant for washing hands?

Water and ordinary soap are sufficient for hand hygiene as long as handwashing rules are followed.

9. How long does cologne provide hand hygiene?

Cologne provides disinfection at the moment it is used. However, it is not long-lasting. If there is contact with materials that may cause recontamination after use, it will not provide protection.

10. Are people who keep pets in the risk group for this infection?

It is important for people who keep pets to pay attention to hand hygiene after contact in order to protect themselves from diseases that may be transmitted from animals.

11. When should I go to a healthcare facility?

If you have come from one of the countries where the new coronavirus disease has been seen within the last 14 days and you do not have symptoms of fever, cough or respiratory distress, do not leave home for 14 days. If you have to go out, be sure to wear a mask and avoid public transport as much as possible.
If you have complaints of fever, cough or respiratory distress, go to the nearest healthcare facility as soon as possible, making sure to wear a mask and avoiding public transport as much as possible.
As fever is an important symptom, it would be advisable for every family to keep a thermometer at home.
Apart from this, if you have complaints such as persistent fever, cough or shortness of breath, wear a mask and go to the nearest healthcare facility as soon as possible.
You can also call ALO 184, the Ministry of Health's Coronavirus advice line, to get information on what you should do.

12. What precautions should I take if there are people with cold symptoms around me?

The virus enters through mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose and eyes. Therefore, standing at least one meter away from these people and avoiding behaviors that involve close contact, such as shaking hands or hugging, will prevent the infection from being transmitted to you.

13. Do foods (such as lemon, orange and garlic) have a protective effect against this disease?

Foods do not have a protective effect against this disease. However, adequate and balanced nutrition, sufficient water intake and attention to sleep patterns are important in strengthening our immune system.

14. Is there a medicine or vaccine I should use to protect myself from the disease?

In light of our current knowledge, there is no proven vaccine or medicine that can be used preventively for this disease. Studies on this subject are ongoing.

15. What arrangements are there for individuals with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension to obtain their medicines easily?

The elderly and individuals with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are at very high risk of contracting the disease and therefore should not leave home except when necessary. Medicines that must be used continuously with a medical report can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription and without going to healthcare facilities. Patients should continue to take their medicines.
Young people also bear a great responsibility not to carry this disease to older age groups. In preventing the spread of the disease, it is extremely critical that young people in particular avoid crowded places and do not become carriers.

Please send the questions you would like answered to ogrencidekanligi@dso.bau.edu.tr . Our experts will answer them for you as soon as possible.